This is a place to share issues, useful and helpful information regarding healthy communities - what are some of the community programs that are helping our people address these issues, both on-reserve and in the towns and cities? Traditional and Contemporary solutions?

The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) has welcomed new investments in healthcare supports for First Nations communities in Manitoba, announced by the federal Health Minister on July 5.

"First Nations have long stressed the urgent need for community-level support for our families. These new investments mark a response to that call," said AFN Regional Chief Hart. "It is important that the government understands that it is important to invest in health care as well as the social determinants of health – like housing, drinking water and education. I am hopeful that this new funding will help our children and our families to benefit from the proper professional healthcare that they deserve."

Northern Manitoba was the centre of a recent state of emergency brought about by a suicide epidemic earlier this year. The investments announced yesterday by the Minister of Health include $50 million over the next two years to upgrade health facilities in Manitoba First Nations – including mental wellness teams and a mental health crisis response team.

AFN National Chief Perry Bellegarde stated that First Nations are calling for similar approaches on a national scale to close the gap in healthcare and wellness for all First Nations:

"I commend First Nations leaders and citizens in Manitoba for their work in realizing these important investments. We know, however, that Northern Manitoba's health crises are not isolated to this region. Numerous First Nations communities urgently need support for long-term health and wellness. The government must work with our leaders to ensure our treaty; inherent and human right to health is honoured and implemented."

The Assembly of First Nations is the national organization representing First Nation citizens in Canada. Follow AFN on Twitter @AFN_Comms, @AFN_Updates.

The Government of Canada is committed to supporting Manitoba First Nations communities overcome the difficulties they are facing with respect to social conditions and health.

Today, after visiting First Nations communities in Manitoba, the Honourable Jane Philpott, Minister of Health, announced the Government of Canada will invest $50 million over the next two years to upgrade health facilities in Manitoba First Nations. The investments are part of the five-year, $270 million Social Infrastructure Fund (SIF) announced in Budget 2016.

The Manitoba projects will include new health facilities in Cross Lake First Nation, God’s Lake Narrows First Nation, Lac Brochet First Nation and Red Sucker Lake First Nation. In addition three health facilities will benefit from upgrades: Sagkeeng First Nation’s National Native Alcohol and Drug Abuse Program treatment facility will undergo repairs and renovations, the Percy E. Moore Hospital will receive mechanical, HVAC and electrical system upgrades and SIF funding will cover design costs to replace Norway House Hospital’s water plant, sewage facility and utilidor.

The Minister also announced that Health Canada will fund six new mental wellness teams within the next three years to support Manitoba First Nations. Additionally, a mental health crisis response team will be dedicated to Manitoba First Nations. Mental Wellness Teams are community–based teams which provide a comprehensive suite of culturally appropriate services that can include, but are not limited to: capacity-building, trauma informed care, land based care, early intervention and screening, aftercare, and care coordination with provincial and territorial services.

The additional mental wellness supports will be funded through the $69 million in interim national mental wellness supports the Prime Minister announced in June 2016. Nationally, that funding will support four mental health crisis response teams, up to 32 new mental wellness teams, training for community health workers and a culturally safe toll-free crisis line.

While in Cross Lake First Nation, the Minister met with community leaders and youth to learn more about their experiences accessing health services and supports. While in Norway House First Nation, she toured the Norway House hospital and met with community leaders to learn about their vision for health service integration, and their ideas for the future of health care in their community.

Quotes

“I am thankful for the warm welcome and time extended to me by the leadership and members of Cross Lake and Norway House First Nations. Seeing the state of community health infrastructure and hearing concerns firsthand enables me to appreciate the tremendous value investments in health infrastructure upgrades will bring to their lives. Meeting with youth in Manitoba First Nations also helps me to better understand their perspectives, as well as how Health Canada programs might be adapted to better meet their needs. I am confident additional mental wellness teams will help address ongoing challenges in First Nations communities in Manitoba.” The Honourable Jane Philpott Minister of Health

The Government of Canada is committed to supporting Alberta First Nations communities overcome the difficulties they are facing with respect to social conditions and health.

Prior to a series of meetings with First Nations leadership in Alberta this week, Federal Minister of Health Jane Philpott announced the Government of Canada will invest $17.3 million to upgrade health facilities in First Nations communities in Alberta. The investments are part of the five-year $270 million Social Infrastructure Fund (SIF) announced in Budget 2016. Alberta projects include investments in a new health centre at John D’Or Prairie (Treaty 8 ) over the next two years. The SIF funding for Saddle Lake Cree Nation and Enoch Cree Nation (Treaty 6) will be used to expand existing facilities to offer more of the quality health services they currently provide. Both health facilities will see an approximate 30% increase in size to better serve their clients.

The Minister also announced that Health Canada will fund four new mental wellness teams within the next three years to serve First Nations communities in Alberta. Mental Wellness Teams are community-based teams which provide a comprehensive suite of culturally appropriate services that can include, but are not limited to: capacity-building, trauma informed care, land based care, early intervention and screening, aftercare, and care coordination with provincial and territorial services.

The additional teams will be funded through the $69 million in interim national mental wellness supports the Prime Minister announced in June. Nationally, that funding will support four mental health crisis response teams, up to 32 new mental wellness teams, training for community health workers and a culturally appropriate toll-free crisis line.

Minister Philpott is in Alberta to attend a series of meetings with First Nations leadership and to visit First Nations communities this week. On July 6, she will tour Maskwacis Health Services and meet with Treaty 6 Chiefs. On July 7 she will attend the Treaty 8 Annual General Meeting and on July 8 she will meet with Treaty 7 Chiefs and tour the Blood Tribe First Nation. During her meetings with Treaty Chiefs, the Minister will discuss health issues, including mental health challenges, and the Non-Insured Health Benefits program.

Quick Facts

Enoch Cree Nation is situated in central Alberta near Edmonton. The Nation has a registered population of approximately 2,500. Saddle Lake Cree Nation, with a registered population of approximately 10,500 was once called Onihcikiskowapowin, meaning ‘mirage on the lake’.John D’Or Prairie is a community located in Northern Alberta and is part of the Little Red River Cree Nation. Little Red River Cree Nation has a registered population of approximately 5,400.Quotes

“It is a privilege to meet with Alberta Treaty Chiefs in their territories, to see and experience their realities and successes firsthand. They will help me understand the challenges they encounter with the health system and I will reassure them that I am engaged and working with First Nations to help define concrete solutions that work for them. I am committed to supporting First Nations control over their programs to build a health system that is culturally safe and responsive to their needs."The Honourable Jane PhilpottMinister of Health